In December of 1983, the Tacoma/Pierce County DUI Task Force was asked to put on an Emphasis Program at McChord Air Force Base. Three victims presented their personal stories of how their lives have been adversely affected by an impaired driver. The program ran for three days, consisting of three presentations each day. From this three-day program, the concept of a Victims Informational Panel was born. We could see the response from the audience and the interest shown when each presentation at the McChord Theater was standing room only.
In September 1984, Shirley Anderson launched the first court-ordered DWI Victims Panel in King County. Since that time, the panel concept has been accepted nationwide.
Early in the spring of 1991, the Tacoma/Pierce County DWI Task Force formed a committee to research the formation of a Victims Panel in Pierce County. A meeting followed, with all of Pierce County District and Municipal Court Judges, where the concept of a Victims Panel was presented. It was enthusiastically received. Further support came from the District Court Probation and the Pierce County Bar Association. It became a court-ordered program.
The first Pierce County panel was held in July of 1991 with 15 defendants attending. Since that time, the numbers have increased to approximately 125-150 per month.
The Victims Panel consists of victims and offenders, and in some cases, they happen to be one and the same. The panel lasts approximately two hours and three victims speak on their experiences. In some instances, video is used to substitute for a speaker, but it is felt that the real impact of the panel occurs because of the 'real' speakers.
For more information, click here.
